Top 10 tips for choosing a solar installer
After you’ve got your free SunSPOT estimate you’re ready to start talking to installers. We recommend being choosy!
Follow our top 10 tips for a smooth and successful solar installation.
1a). If you’re in Victoria, find an approved solar retailer via the the NETCC www.newenergytech.org.au
1b). Ask the sales person who will be installing your system as it could be a subcontractor. Check that the installer is accredited with the Clean Energy Council.
1c). When you get a quote with a system design, make sure it was designed by a CEC accredited solar system designer.
2. If you are in Victoria, ensure any solar sales company you talk to is an Approved Seller with the New Energy Tech Consumer Code.
3. Search online for reviews about the company and read the bad ones. (Some solar sales companies reward customers for good online reviews.)
4. Don’t be tempted by cheap heavily-advertised systems. The low price is likely to translate to poor workmanship, problems with the system after installation, and poor customer service later on.
5. A local, reputable electrician specialising in solar installations who is accountable to their customers and the community is worthwhile getting a quote from. Ask your neighbours for recommendations (and ask if there have been any problems).
6. Look for companies that have been in business for many years and have technical and sales support in Australia. This applies to the installing company and the manufacturers of the panels and inverters.
7. Get three quotes at least.
8. Do some online searches for user reviews of the inverter and solar panels that are named in the quote. Go for good quality in both, but particularly in the inverter as this is the most common point of failure.
9. Check the warranties!
This is confusing as there are 4 different warranties but suffice to say, A, B and C are the most important.
A. The installation warranty from the solar installer. This is important and might be 1-10 years. The longer the better.
B. The inverter warranty – this could be 5-10 years. The longer the better as the inverter is a frequent point of failure.
C. Solar panel product warranty – often 5 to 10 years but the best panels have 20-25 years product warranties. The latter are usually higher cost (“premium”) but worth looking for. If the panel stops working this is the warranty you will rely on.
D. Solar panel performance warranty – these are 25 years as a standard and less critical. These cover the degradation of the panels, they do not cover faults. As panels age they degrade and become less efficient.
10. Check quotes against your SunSPOT estimate
Ask about any big price differences – there may be good reasons. For example: the switchboard may need upgrading, there may be long cable runs, or the access might be difficult.
